James O'Brien

Hockey Daily Dose

Tuning in to the Crosby Show

I would estimate that approximately 5,000 hockey columnists (some paid, some not … some writing to an audience of one) will or have already discussed Sidney Crosby’s return today. The Hockey Daily Dose isn’t meant to be a defiant puck-related diatribe, so permit me to pepper you with a few thoughts about his comeback before we get to what it really means for most fantasy owners.

First things first, I must ask the fantasy owners who drafted Crosby: does it still feel worth it? Health permitting, Crosby will enact a fascinating experiment: he will determine how many NHL players fall short of the marks generated by 75 Percent Sidney Crosby.. (If he plays all 62 of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ remaining games, he’ll play roughly three-fourths of the team’s season.) Feel free to e-mail me with your thoughts because I’m genuinely intrigued what people are thinking in this fantasy leagues-wide scenario; color me double-intrigued if you pulled a John Buccigross and drafted Crosby in the first round. (You riverboat gamblers, you …)

One more Crosby-specific nugget: the other intriguing question is if Crosby found time to add something new to his bag of hockey tricks despite the concussion issues. Much like Kobe Bryant learning “The Dream Shake,” Crosby seems to improve an area of his game during each off-season. He dramatically improved his faceoff skills following his rookie year struggles, decided to transform from a pass-first player to (briefly) the most dangerous goal-scorer in the NHL and so on.

It all combines to develop something I’ve harped on for a long time: the Crosby hype might be nauseating to many hardcore fans, but at least the guy does everything in his power to live up to the attention.

THE FIRST WINNERS OF THE CROSBY SWEEPSTAKES

Dan Bylsma stated that Crosby will center a line with Chris Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis tonight. This makes sense since Crosby has great chemistry and plenty of experience playing with both players; Kunitz forechecks like he’s on a perpetual safety blitz while Dupuis speed and smarts make him a good fit for Crosby despite the Grand Canyon-sized gap in talent between them.

I’ve hammered the “Don’t rely on linemate table scraps” philosophy over and over, so it should come as little surprise that I’d recommend caution with both.

That being said, I can’t blame you if you nab Kunitz in particular. He hasn’t ever exploded while cleaning up Crosby’s garbage, but if you look at his career stats, Kunitz hasn’t been healthy enough to play a bunch of games alongside the game’s biggest name, either. Kunitz shoots a lot, can rack up some solid PIMs and could flirt with the 30-goal plateau if he sticks with Crosby - which is something he’s done for most of his stay in Pittsburgh.

In other words, if you want an extra reason to watch Crosby on NHL Game Center Live or Center Ice, then picking up Kunitz as a depth forward should be your ticket.

After the jump: Kessel continues to amaze, old dogs sniff top jobs and more.

I would estimate that approximately 5,000 hockey columnists (some paid, some not … some writing to an audience of one) will or have already discussed Sidney Crosby’s return today. The Hockey Daily Dose isn’t meant to be a defiant puck-related diatribe, so permit me to pepper you with a few thoughts about his comeback before we get to what it really means for most fantasy owners.

First things first, I must ask the fantasy owners who drafted Crosby: does it still feel worth it? Health permitting, Crosby will enact a fascinating experiment: he will determine how many NHL players fall short of the marks generated by 75 Percent Sidney Crosby.. (If he plays all 62 of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ remaining games, he’ll play roughly three-fourths of the team’s season.) Feel free to e-mail me with your thoughts because I’m genuinely intrigued what people are thinking in this fantasy leagues-wide scenario; color me double-intrigued if you pulled a John Buccigross and drafted Crosby in the first round. (You riverboat gamblers, you …)

One more Crosby-specific nugget: the other intriguing question is if Crosby found time to add something new to his bag of hockey tricks despite the concussion issues. Much like Kobe Bryant learning “The Dream Shake,” Crosby seems to improve an area of his game during each off-season. He dramatically improved his faceoff skills following his rookie year struggles, decided to transform from a pass-first player to (briefly) the most dangerous goal-scorer in the NHL and so on.

It all combines to develop something I’ve harped on for a long time: the Crosby hype might be nauseating to many hardcore fans, but at least the guy does everything in his power to live up to the attention.

THE FIRST WINNERS OF THE CROSBY SWEEPSTAKES

Dan Bylsma stated that Crosby will center a line with Chris Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis tonight. This makes sense since Crosby has great chemistry and plenty of experience playing with both players; Kunitz forechecks like he’s on a perpetual safety blitz while Dupuis speed and smarts make him a good fit for Crosby despite the Grand Canyon-sized gap in talent between them.

I’ve hammered the “Don’t rely on linemate table scraps” philosophy over and over, so it should come as little surprise that I’d recommend caution with both.

That being said, I can’t blame you if you nab Kunitz in particular. He hasn’t ever exploded while cleaning up Crosby’s garbage, but if you look at his career stats, Kunitz hasn’t been healthy enough to play a bunch of games alongside the game’s biggest name, either. Kunitz shoots a lot, can rack up some solid PIMs and could flirt with the 30-goal plateau if he sticks with Crosby - which is something he’s done for most of his stay in Pittsburgh.

In other words, if you want an extra reason to watch Crosby on NHL Game Center Live or Center Ice, then picking up Kunitz as a depth forward should be your ticket.

After the jump: Kessel continues to amaze, old dogs sniff top jobs and more.

KESSELMANIA CONTINUES TO RUN WILD

Is it possible to overstate how stunning Phil Kessel’s start has been? OK, playing in an obsessive market like Toronto should probably make his run plenty famous, but still … the guy has 16 goals and 29 points in 21 games. Kessel has reacted to being the last pick of the 2011 All-Star Game fantasy draft in the same way a high co-ed should react to getting dumped: by looking better and better every week.

OLD STARS WINNING TOP JOBS?

Hockey life hasn’t been too kind for Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Martin Brodeur the last few years. During his time with Toronto, Giguere looked uncomfortably comparable to Vesa Toskala in his worst moments. Meanwhile Brodeur has been frequently usurped by Johan Hedberg, a goalie who’s only about a year younger but is at least a decade behind Marty in hockey years.

As bad as things have been, both of their outlooks are trending up after this weekend. They haven’t been earning many style points (Giguere had an especially tough night against the San Jose Sharks on Sunday), but they’re starting to compile standings points, which should provide them with precious starts.

Brodeur isn’t likely to be available in most sane leagues - even with his struggles - but Giguere should be around in many. Keep an eye on Giguere during the next week or so because he’s creating a platoon situation in Colorado.

CAPITAL SHAKEUP?

The media and Washington Capitals fans are calling for heads to roll after the team’s embarrassing loss to the Leafs on Saturday. Keep an eye on Rotoworld for news of a move because a trade or a coach firing can throw a lightning bolt into a sleepwalking team; just look at the St. Louis Blues’ promising mini-turnaround if you need an example.

INJURY SNIPES

Craig Anderson left Sunday’s Senators-Canucks game with a sore neck, but early indications are that it’s nothing too serious. Either way it’s a shame because he was finally putting things together … T.J. Oshie hurt his wrist on Nov. 19, but the Blues are “hopeful” that he’ll be ready for Tuesday … Guillaume Latendresse and Marek Zidlicky haven’t made much (if any) progress with their concussion issues, but Marco Scandella hopes to return by Thanksgiving Eve. Despite those bumps, the Minnesota Wild currently stand atop the entire NHL. (Yeah, I didn’t see that coming, either.) … Mattias Ohlund resumed on-ice activities, though it’s unclear when he’ll actually return. That news is probably more promising for Dwayne Roloson owners than anything else, though … Tyler Myers is dealing with what looks like a wrist injury, so stick with Rotoworld for updates. (Click here for the full injury list.)